Monotropa uniflora - Indian Pipe

Family:	Pyrolaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Japan. Most areas of N. America.

Monotropa uniflora (Indian Pipe) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Indian Pipe will flower in January to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Indian Pipe will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Indian Pipe prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Indian Pipe can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Damp coniferous woods in hills and mountains all over Japan[1, 58]. Dark rich woodlands in N. America[21].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this plant but it should be hardy in this country. It is likely to require shady woodland conditions in a humus-rich moist soil, It is a saprophytic plant, quite devoid of chlorophyll and depending totally on its host plant for nutrient[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The whole plant can be cooked[177]. It is tasteless if eaten raw, but has a taste like asparagus when it is cooked[105].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
An infusion of the root is antispasmodic, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, tonic[21, 192, 222]. It is a good remedy for spasms, fainting spells and various nervous conditions[207]. It has been given to children who suffer from fits, epilepsy and convulsions[257]. The plant was used by some native North American Indian tribes to treat eye problems, the stem was bruised and the clear fluid of the stems applied to the eyes[213, 257]. The juice from the stems has also been used to treat nervous irritability, including fits and spasms[192]. It has been suggested in the past as a possible opium substitute[192]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat colds and fevers[257]. The crushed plant has been rubbed on bunions and warts in order to destroy them[257]. A poultice of the plant has been applied to sores that are difficult to heal[257]. The flowers have been chewed in order to bring relief from toothache[257]. Water extracts of the plant are bactericidal[222].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Hypnotic - Induces sleep.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Odontalgic - Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Warts - Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.

Propagation

This is going to be an exceedingly difficult plant to propagate. The seed will need to be sown close to its host plant so one way would be to sow it in the leaf litter under established beech or coniferous trees[1]. Alternatively, you could try sowing the seed in a cold frame in a pot that already contains a potential host plant. If successful, grow the young plant on in the cold frame for a couple of years before planting it out close to an established beech or coniferous tree.

Known Hazards

The plant contains several glycosides and is possibly toxic[222].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
F. Chittendon.
Author: F. Chittendon.
Rating:
Publisher : Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
Date of Publication : 1951

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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